Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related ideas are copyrighted and property of J.K. Rowling. I in no way own or claim anything henceforth with exception to the invented storyline.
Author's Note: This is the final edited version of chapter one in my novel fic that is now on Portkey.org. I will continue to post a chapter everyday until I reach the chapter I am currently working on. New chapters are posted on Fanfiction.net first (so go there, same penname if you wish to read the rest of it right away), and then the following day an edited final version will be posted on Portkey. This is a H/Hr story, as well as acting as a stand in for book six. The H/Hr may not seem apparent until later on but trust me it is. Please forgive any small typos. Read and review please, thank you.
Harry Potter and the Unforgivable Curse
Chapter 1: Planes, Trains, and Mugglemobiles
It had been two weeks into the summer and as far as Harry Potter knew, his friends had completely forgotten about him…again. The thin lanky boy had found a new place to hide since last summer when his Uncle Vernon found his favorite hiding spot under the windows hidden in the flower bed. He chose a place that a man as large as Vernon Dursley would never go, and probably never think to look. The roof.
It wasn't hard for Harry to get up on the sloping roof of Number four Privet Drive. A quick crawl up the back terrace, a foot on Dudley Dursley's window ledge and he was there. A quiet abode where Harry could see most of Little Whinging as well as, and foremost the reason he loved the roof, avoid his Uncle Vernon. He'd spend most afternoons of the past week up there in his own little world.
I can't believe they forgot about me again. Don't they realize what it's like? I bet they wouldn't last a day cooped up here. But Harry couldn't lie to himself. Living at Privet drive had improved greatly since Uncle Vernon had been threatened by a good deal of his friends. His magical friends. Harry adjusted his black rimmed glasses and fought the urge to pull his wand from his jeans pocket. How fun it would be to light Aunt Petunia's prized flower garden on fire.
But a decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry prevented Harry from doing the one thing he prided himself on doing well; magic. Harry James Potter was a wizard and for the last five years had been attending, to the great dismay of his uncle, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry yearned more everyday to return to the place where he belonged. But no I'm stuck here in the middle of Muggleville.
A screech from the right startled him so bad he jumped and nearly fell off the roof. Catching his glasses before they fell to the yard below, he turned face to face with a small twittering owl. "Pigwidgeon!" he exclaimed so excitedly he forgot about almost falling. Pigwidgeon hopped around excitedly on the roof twittering proudly. Harry reached down and untied the small piece of parchment tied to Pigwidgeon's leg. Ron, please be good news.
As famous as Harry Potter was in the wizarding community he only truly enjoyed the company of his two best friends; Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley. At this point Harry would have given just about anything to be at the Weasley's house, affectionately called The Burrow. He unfurled the parchment and began to read.
Dear Harry,
Sorry that it's taken me so long to write to you. Me and my mum were figuring out how- Ok Hermione says I have to put my mum and I were trying to figure out arrangements so you could come stay with us for the rest of the summer. Hermione got here last night and we're coming tomorrow at six to pick you up so BE READY!
Also some of the Order is coming to dinner on Saturday so mum says to bring something nice to wear. She says even Dumbledore might stop by! Ok well Pigwidgeon is putting up a fuss to go so I'll cut it short. See you tomorrow mate.
Ron
Harry clutched the parchment hard and read it over and over again. He was so happy he wanted to jump for joy as a wave of relief swept over him. He would be joining his friends for the summer after all. Nothing mattered anymore, not Dudley's games of beat-up Harry, the growing pains he'd been experiencing every night, or even the fact that a dark lord had once again risen and was out for his blood, nothing could put a damper on his day.
Climbing back down the terrace he held the twittering Pigwidgeon deftly in one hand. "Quiet Pig, we don't want Uncle Vernon to hear you," he said slipping quietly into the house. Not seeing Uncle Vernon anywhere he crept upstairs and into his room.
"Go on now Pig, drink up." Hedwig stuck her head up at Pigwidgeon as the small owl began to drink from Hedwig's bowl. Hedwig turned to pretend Pigwidgeon wasn't there as Harry set about packing. This task proved easier than ever since Uncle Vernon had allowed him to keep all his things in his room this summer, instead of locking them up in the closet beneath the stairs.
Admiring the sleek finish on his Firebolt, the fastest racing broom in the world and Harry's pride and joy, he wrapped it in a thin black cloth and sat it beside the trunk. "There that's about everything." He said quietly to himself as he scanned the room for anything he might have forgotten. As he tossed one more sweater over his dress robes he for the first time realized how sad it was he could fit all of his most precious belongings into one trunk. But then again he hadn't lived the perfect life so he closed the trunk, content with the things that he did have.
With the trunk set securely at the foot of his bed, he let Pigwidgeon out the window and then nestled himself cozily on the top of his bed. Harry laid his glasses on the small table beside the bed and closed his eyes, thinking only of having fun at The Burrow. Playing Quidditch with the Weasley brothers, Wizarding Chess against Ron, tricking Hermione into eating a dung flavored bean telling her it was chocolate, all of Harry's favorite things to do. Maybe he'd even get to see Bill and Charlie, and listen to stories of some of the exciting adventures they'd had. With this in mind Harry fell asleep with a smile on his face for the first time in weeks.
"What are you doing?" yelled Ron as he floated transfixed in front of a large hoop that had been hung from a tree.
"I'm getting to it!" Hermione said through clenched teeth as she darted to and fro in front of Ron. Harry looked down from high above and saw her swishing back and forth holding a quaffle tightly in her hands. What's she doing? She doesn't play Quidditch. She's not even really that good at flying. He decided not to put too much thought into it and returned to looking for the tiny snitch. Flying around the makeshift field in circles opposite Ginny was getting tiring. Had he been here all day? They didn't even have any bludgers out. What kind quidditch game was this?
Catching the quaffle Ron showed it off to Hermione proudly. Fred and George laughed heartily as they floated over near Ron. Hermione muttered under her breath looking disheartened. Ron reeled back and tossed the quaffle as high and far as he could. Hermione darted after it at a determined pace.
Harry pulled up next to her as she caught the quaffle. She looked away from him and hid her face behind her mousy hair. Harry put a hand on her back "Don't let them get to you Hermione, you'll get it next time," he said reassuringly patting her softly.
"I'm really poor at this aren't I?" she said turning to him. He looked at her confused. It wasn't Hermione at all but rather Cho Chang. Harry rubbed his eyes and looked around again. As he looked up he was hit in the eye with pink confetti and was forced to blink "Harry are you even listening to me?" Cho snorted.
Madam Puddifoot walked up carrying two small saucers. Harry blinked again. "Cho what are you talking about? Why are we in Madam Puddifoot's again?" He looked around frantically to see the entire café empty except for Cho, Madam Puddifoot, and himself.
"You asked me here Harry. You're not going," her voice became deeper and harsher, "to meet that Mudblood are you Potter?" Harry saw that under Cho's dark hair was a small conniving smile.
"Malfoy!?" Harry said in astonishment. He almost knocked his chair over as he bolted to his feet, reaching for his wand. "This is the last straw Malfoy! Stupefy!" Harry pointed the wand across the table at Malfoy. To Harry's dismay nothing happened. He swished the wand again, "Stupefy! Stupefy! Stupefy!"
"Stupefy! Stupefy! Stupefy!" Harry yelled at the top of his lungs. His chest burned for air as he gasped trying to get more. He stopped flailing and opened his eyes. Panting and drenched in sweat he stared up at a round pudgy face and small blue eyes.
"There needs to be a better word for weird." Dudley said staring down at him. "Dad says you're causing such a ruckus that he can't eat his breakfast properly." He walloped Harry on the arm hard enough to make him groan in pain. "Keep quiet from now on." At this Dudley waddled out of the room shutting the door tightly behind him.
Sitting up on the edge of his bed, he fumbled for his glasses. As he put them on the bed he'd decimated in the night came into focus. Wow what a strange dream. But it didn't matter because today Harry was going to The Burrow and nobody was going to stop him. Picking up the letter from Ron he flung open his door and marched downstairs. "Uncle Vernon," he started determinedly but was cut off by Uncle Vernon's crisp voice.
"BOY!" he shouted, flinging down his paper. "FIRST IT'S INCESSANT SCREAMING! NOW IT'S INTOLERABLE TALKING!" he fumed at Harry.
"Tonight!" Harry took a harsh tone of his own, "I'm leaving this house, and I'm going to stay with the Weasleys!" he took a step away from Uncle Vernon as he rose to his feet. Harry had grown into his own over the past few years and Uncle Vernon no longer loomed over him. Now Harry came face to face with his chubby neck, and he stared at it ready to fight Uncle Vernon if he said no.
"So be it boy," he said sitting back down. Harry coughed a little at this surprise of a response. "As much as I love trying to raise you into a model citizen," as much as you like yelling and bossing me around Harry thought, "There is nothing I could appreciate more than getting rid of you. But be warned boy," he pointed a long chubby finger right at Harry's nose, and Harry went cross-eyed. "If those Weasels come into my house and destroy it again, there will be hell to pay."
"Weasleys," Harry corrected him. But he didn't want to pester Uncle Vernon further in fear that he might change his mind. "I'll make sure they come to the front door, and don't worry they won't be here long." He added at a sideways glance from Uncle Vernon. Not bothering to stay for breakfast Harry dashed out of the kitchen and back up the stairs as quick as he could.
Shutting the door tightly behind him he slid to the floor and smiled widely. It had gone better than he could have asked for. He couldn't stop smiling as he took the liberty of hauling his trunk and broom downstairs by the door, so when the Weasleys came he could escape as soon as possible. He fed Hedwig a few owl treats and quickly munched down a left over pumpkin pasty he'd had since his last visit to the town of Hogsmeade.
The day seemed to drag on forever for Harry. Every chore Aunt Petunia gave him took three times as long to accomplish, and six o'clock felt as if it would never roll around. Harry decided he must have looked over his chocolate frog card collection at least a hundred times by the time he heard the doorbell ring at a quarter to six. Harry leapt from the floor and made a mad dash downstairs only to reach the door slightly behind Uncle Vernon.
"How do you do sir!" said Mr. Weasley in his bolstering voice, as he took Uncle Vernon by the hand and shook it so hard that Harry swore he saw Uncle Vernon's eyes pop a bit out of their sockets. Hermione was half hidden behind Mr. Weasley and mouthed a Hi Harry to him as she tried to peek inside the house. Harry could barely see Ron standing on the walkway looking up at the sky. "I'm sorry but we can't stay long. Mrs. Weasley is preparing dinner and she gets very upset if we're not home for it."
"What a pity," said Uncle Vernon as dryly as he could. "The boy is ready," and without another word he hurled Harry, his trunk, and Hedwig's cage outside the door. It happened so fast that only the click of the lock behind Harry made him realize he was now outside.
"Harry my boy!" Mr. Weasley said patting him on the shoulder, "Glad you could come. We love having you." He picked up Harry's trunk and started over toward an old, large, white, car that was rusting on the side. Harry turned just in time to wrap his arms around Hermione as she embraced him excitedly.
"Oh Harry! We're so glad you could come." Hermione stopped hugging him and put her hands behind her back. She gave him a sly little smile and looked as if she really wanted to tell him something. She sort of scratched her foot on the stone beneath her.
"She's been dying to tell everyone," Ron said walking up behind Hermione.
"Guess what!" Hermione burst.
"What?" Harry asked. He could see Ron roll his eyes behind Hermione.
"My parents are letting me get my Drivers License!" Hermione proudly held out a small laminated permit card. Harry took it and looked down at the picture that he thought truly didn't do Hermione justice. She snatched it back from him "Hey that has personal information on it!" Putting her hands firmly on her hips she stared at Harry and Ron. "Well are we leaving or are we going to stand around all day?"
Harry and Ron lagged a good ways behind Hermione as she walked towards the old rusted car. Ron leaned in and whispered to Harry "If we um - don't make it home," he gulped at this, "it was nice knowing you mate."
"Oh she can't be that bad can she?"
Ten minutes later Harry was wishing he hadn't said that. Although Hermione had read the driver's manual twice thoroughly and received perfect marks on the written test, her actual driving didn't follow suit. At the rate they were going, Harry wondered how they ever managed to get into Surrey and find Privet Drive.
Mr. Weasley apparently had no notion that Hermione was doing poorly and continued to barrage her with question after question of how the old Muggle car worked. He looked so positively delighted that Harry thought he might squeal at any moment. He leaned forward between the seats and turned to Hermione.
"Aren't you supposed to err - stop at the stop sign Hermione?"
"I am Harry, be patient." She responded not taking her eyes from the road. Harry leaned back again and looked out the window. Noticing they had stopped in the middle of the intersection he gave a small gulp of his own as Ron had done earlier.
Ron leaned over to Harry as the car started accelerating again, "If you don't survive this can I have your Firebolt?" Harry snickered just loudly enough at this that he accidentally got Hermione's attention.
"If you don't like the way I'm driving you two, you can just come up here and drive yourselves!"
"I think she's doing a fantastic job," said Mr. Weasley. Harry and Ron both looked out their respective window. Not wanting to upset her any further neither of them said another word the rest of the trip.
Much to the amazement and delight of both Harry and Ron they pulled up next to The Burrow in one piece. Harry opened his door and had barely gotten to his feet when Mrs. Weasley had him in a bear hug.
"Oh Harry, look how you've grown!" she said giving him a pat on the head.
"Hello Mrs. Weasley," Harry said happily trying to get some air. She let go of him and looked at her husband.
"So Arthur, how did Hermione do? You all appear to be safe, I was so worried." She gave Mr. Weasley a quick peck on the cheek.
"She did absolutely wonderful Molly. I couldn't have done better myself!" he beamed at Hermione who smiled brightly back at him.
"Thank you for letting me drive Mr. Weasley. My parents were skeptical at first to let me drive, but I convinced them and now I can tell them how great I did." She said walking over beside Harry. Harry smiled at her. That answered his question of how on earth her parents ever let her drive on her own, although he guessed she did an awful lot of "convincing".
Hermione opened the trunk and Ron helped Harry drag his things inside the house. "You're staying in my room again, mate. I got a Chudley Cannon robe from Fred and George as a present, seeing as how they're doing so well with the store and partly because I'm friends with you. They got you one too for you as an early birthday present." Harry smiled as Ron went on and on about the Chudley Cannons and how well they were doing this season. As he climbed the stairs to Ron's room Harry knew already this was going to be a great summer.